led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
refused to race, took no part
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, struggling final 3f
prominent early, steadied into mid-division after 2f, headway over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, well in command final furlong, edged left towards finish, ran on well
held up towards rear, switched left over 3f out, headway and hung left over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, still hanging final furlong, stayed on, not troubled leaders
mid-division, lost place when not clear run well over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never a danger
held up, headway over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leader, went upside over 6f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, challenged for 2nd thereafter, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, in rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
soon prominent racing keenly, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, always towards rear
A typically tough handicap in which favourites have a vile record in recent years and it is with some trepidation that Dunaskin gets the nod over Greek Envoy, Buccellati and Mad Rush. The last-named is likely to start as favourite given his consistent profile for trainer Luca Cumani. He has now been second four times from six starts and another bold show should be on the cards. However Dunaskin, also second recently up at Pontefract behind Tranquil Tiger, can land the big handicap that he deserves. The Southern-based trainers have taken this race in recent years since Collier Hill for Alan Swinbank in 2003, but Brian Ellison has his horses running well and Dunaskin could gain his first success of 2008. Pevensey has plenty of ability and should be watched in the betting, whilst Record Breaker and King Charles are both consistent. Pippa Greene missed a recent engagement at Newcastle recently and if all is well she has claims, as does Eradicate who steps back up in trip. Buccellati's recent run behind Supaseus looks solid form ad he won't mind a return to this longer trip, however Dunaskin is fancied to score.
Solent (IRE) 28-1 (9-3) Led, joined 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied 1f out, hard driven to dead heat on line, won at Ascot 2m lst stk (1) gs in Sept deadheating with Distinction (9-3), 7 ran.
Carte Diamond (USA) 12-1 (9-9) Soon pressed leader, ridden over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, 13th of 18, 21l behind Arc Bleu (8-2) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Greek Envoy 6-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden when not clear run over 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on well, not reach leaders, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Raincoat (8-8) at Ripon 1m 4f stk (3) gd in Apr.
Eradicate (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Chased leader to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Emirates Skyline (9-10) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jun.
Mad Rush (USA) 5-2fav (9-2) In touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 19, nk behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Buccellati 13-2 (8-12) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Supaseus (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f lst hcp (1) frm in Jun.
Alfie Flits 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 6f out until weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Young Mick 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, chased leaders 3f out, not quicken over 1f out, 4th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Dunaskin (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 4f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
King Charles 18-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 19, 2l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Camps Bay (USA) 11-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 19, 4l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Pevensey (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 19, 7l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Record Breaker (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Birkside (8-8) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Pippa Greene 7-1 (9-3) Keen hold behind leaders, stumbled after 1f, held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 8l behind Luberon (8-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
The Last Drop (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Pressed leader, ridden 3f out, dropped out over 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 11, 47l behind Macarthur (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Dansant 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, behind final 2f, 10th of 14, 17l behind Smokey Oakey (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in May.
Dansili Dancer 8-1 (9-9) In touch, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 20l behind Luberon (8-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
